AP Sports Preview

PHOENIX (Interstat) — The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Baylor Bears on Sunday evening at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in the finale of a three-game Big 12 series, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. local time under cloudy skies and 81-degree temperatures.

Arizona State (29-14) enters with a clear statistical edge, having won both games of the series so far, including an 11-2 victory Friday. The Sun Devils hold a 64.80 percent win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, which projects a 6-5 final score.

Baylor (22-19) looks to salvage the series finale after dropping two straight. The Bears have lost seven of their last nine games overall, though they did win 11-4 against TCU on April 17.

Players to watch

Baylor shortstop Travis Sanders has been one of the Bears’ most consistent hitters. In Friday’s loss, Sanders went 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Over his past 10 games, he has posted four multi-hit performances and collected eight RBIs. He batted 3-for-5 with two RBIs on April 21 at Sam Houston State.

For Arizona State, right-hander Cole Carlon is scheduled to start. Carlon dominated Baylor on Friday, pitching six innings while allowing four hits and two earned runs with 11 strikeouts. He scattered no hits over six scoreless innings in a 13-0 win at BYU on April 17, fanning 11. Carlon’s only recent stumble came April 10 against Utah, when he yielded seven earned runs over 4⅔ innings.

Recent history

Friday’s 11-2 win was Arizona State’s most lopsided victory in the series. First baseman Dominic Smaldino drove in three runs, and second baseman Beckett Zavorek homered twice. On Saturday, the Sun Devils won the middle game 8-0. Arizona State has outscored Baylor 19-2 through two games.

Looking ahead

Following Sunday’s contest, Baylor returns home to face Texas-Arlington on Tuesday. Arizona State travels to UCF for a three-game series beginning Friday.